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The Tories are becoming the party of ethnic diversity – Labour has to respond The Tories are becoming the party of ethnic diversity – Labour has to respond
(about 3 hours later)
Diane Abbott has warned that the Conservatives are on their way to overtaking Labour when it comes to electing more black and Asian MPs. As the cut-off date for candidate registration approaches, it looks as if her prediction may come true.Diane Abbott has warned that the Conservatives are on their way to overtaking Labour when it comes to electing more black and Asian MPs. As the cut-off date for candidate registration approaches, it looks as if her prediction may come true.
To beat Labour in this respect would be an extraordinary achievement for the Tories, who are still weighed down by a negative image in the eyes of many BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities. The Conservatives have 18 ethnic minority candidates in held seats, against 19 for Labour. Seven Tories are new: James Cleverly, Suella Fernandes, Ranil Jayawardena, Rishi Sunak, Nusrat Ghani, Alan Mak and Seema Kennedy. But Labour have just three new visible minorities standing in held seats: Kate Osamor, Tulip Siddiq and Naz Shah. To beat Labour in this respect would be an extraordinary achievement for the Tories, who are still weighed down by a negative image in the eyes of many BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities. The Conservatives have 18 ethnic minority candidates in held seats, against 19 for Labour. Seven Tories are new: James Cleverly, Suella Fernandes, Ranil Jayawardena, Rishi Sunak, Nusrat Ghani, Alan Mak and Seema Kennedy. But Labour have just two new visible minorities standing in held seats: Kate Osamor, Tulip Siddiq, with Naz Shah standing in the seat held by Respect MP George Galloway.
With the polls neck and neck it’s a fair bet that all will be MPs in May, and David Cameron’s party will have made three times more progress on racial diversity in held seats.With the polls neck and neck it’s a fair bet that all will be MPs in May, and David Cameron’s party will have made three times more progress on racial diversity in held seats.
What about the winnable seats? Ed Miliband’s party are doing slightly better in constituencies with majorities less than 5,000, and will hope to win up to nine new BAME MPs in these seats, compared with five for the Tories.What about the winnable seats? Ed Miliband’s party are doing slightly better in constituencies with majorities less than 5,000, and will hope to win up to nine new BAME MPs in these seats, compared with five for the Tories.
In a best-case scenario, Labour may still have more BAME MPs – but only just. Either way, the Tories will have caught up fast in just two elections. And it’s not inconceivable the Tories will be ahead.In a best-case scenario, Labour may still have more BAME MPs – but only just. Either way, the Tories will have caught up fast in just two elections. And it’s not inconceivable the Tories will be ahead.
A study last year found that Labour was lagging behind in reflecting the ethnicity of its own constituents. Labour urgently needs to raise its game or risk continuing to see the BAME vote ebb away.A study last year found that Labour was lagging behind in reflecting the ethnicity of its own constituents. Labour urgently needs to raise its game or risk continuing to see the BAME vote ebb away.
A report I wrote for Operation Black Vote showed that 168 marginal seats could be determined by BAME voters, so it is unwise for Labour to be heading in the opposite direction to Britain’s changing demographics.A report I wrote for Operation Black Vote showed that 168 marginal seats could be determined by BAME voters, so it is unwise for Labour to be heading in the opposite direction to Britain’s changing demographics.
Ethnic diversity matters because politics works best when it reflects the society it is meant to serve; the same argument as for more women in parliament. The number of BAME MPs in each party also matters because it tells us something about their attitude towards reflecting modern, multicultural Britain.Ethnic diversity matters because politics works best when it reflects the society it is meant to serve; the same argument as for more women in parliament. The number of BAME MPs in each party also matters because it tells us something about their attitude towards reflecting modern, multicultural Britain.
Of course policies matter too, and many BAME communities have suffered worsening disproportionate unemployment through the coalition’s austerity squeeze on public services.Of course policies matter too, and many BAME communities have suffered worsening disproportionate unemployment through the coalition’s austerity squeeze on public services.
There have some easy wins on issues affecting BAME communities – stop-and-search review, the air passenger duty – but overall the picture has been negative.There have some easy wins on issues affecting BAME communities – stop-and-search review, the air passenger duty – but overall the picture has been negative.
Labour, by contrast, has promised to put race equality “at the heart of decision-making” and looks more serious about addressing disproportionate disadvantage.Labour, by contrast, has promised to put race equality “at the heart of decision-making” and looks more serious about addressing disproportionate disadvantage.
Policies matter but surveys by Operation Black Vote show that BAME communities also want parties to look more like them.Policies matter but surveys by Operation Black Vote show that BAME communities also want parties to look more like them.
Labour has gradually been losing its grip on the “black vote” – down from 90% in the 1980s to 68% in 2010 – and its reputation as the party of ethnic minorities is seriously at risk if overtaken by the Tories.Labour has gradually been losing its grip on the “black vote” – down from 90% in the 1980s to 68% in 2010 – and its reputation as the party of ethnic minorities is seriously at risk if overtaken by the Tories.
Parties like to boast of the total number of BAME candidates, and often inflate their figures with non-visible minorities, but what counts are those likely to be elected.Parties like to boast of the total number of BAME candidates, and often inflate their figures with non-visible minorities, but what counts are those likely to be elected.
Ukip is putting up 24 visible minorities, but every last one is running in a seat where they came fourth place or below in 2010. When it comes to the general election, its ethnic minorities are simply making up the numbers.Ukip is putting up 24 visible minorities, but every last one is running in a seat where they came fourth place or below in 2010. When it comes to the general election, its ethnic minorities are simply making up the numbers.
The Greens could only find 17 BAME prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) in the whole of England and Wales and, like Ukip, they are all standing in seats where they came fourth or below last time around. Granted, the Greens are starting from a low base, yet with Natalie Bennett’s party attracting a surge of BAME members, and boasting a membership larger than the Liberal Democrats, they should be doing better.The Greens could only find 17 BAME prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) in the whole of England and Wales and, like Ukip, they are all standing in seats where they came fourth or below last time around. Granted, the Greens are starting from a low base, yet with Natalie Bennett’s party attracting a surge of BAME members, and boasting a membership larger than the Liberal Democrats, they should be doing better.
The Liberal Democrats only have two BAME PPCs in a winnable position, Layla Moran and Pramod Subbaraman, although they were unfortunate to lose two more selected for held seats in Somerset and Frome and Brent Central. Sadly, Nick Clegg’s party isn’t putting much effort into electing Moran or Subbaraman.The Liberal Democrats only have two BAME PPCs in a winnable position, Layla Moran and Pramod Subbaraman, although they were unfortunate to lose two more selected for held seats in Somerset and Frome and Brent Central. Sadly, Nick Clegg’s party isn’t putting much effort into electing Moran or Subbaraman.
Despite talking about racial diversity the Lib Dems appear unwilling to deviate from their election strategy of only saving their existing MPs, who all happen to be white. They are clearly not overly concerned by the prospect of having failed to elect an MP of colour at a general election in the last 120 years.Despite talking about racial diversity the Lib Dems appear unwilling to deviate from their election strategy of only saving their existing MPs, who all happen to be white. They are clearly not overly concerned by the prospect of having failed to elect an MP of colour at a general election in the last 120 years.
In March a study by British Future predicted that the Commons could see more than 40 BAME MPs at this election, up from 27 in the last parliament. They attributed credit to the Tories for this progress. This is encouraging, but there is still a long way to go. The 2011 census put the BAME population at 14%, meaning we would need 91 BAME MPs to reflect society.In March a study by British Future predicted that the Commons could see more than 40 BAME MPs at this election, up from 27 in the last parliament. They attributed credit to the Tories for this progress. This is encouraging, but there is still a long way to go. The 2011 census put the BAME population at 14%, meaning we would need 91 BAME MPs to reflect society.
This election will see between 40 and 49 MPs of colour elected, a possible doubling of numbers. Hopefully this will finally herald a sea change in race equality moving higher up the political agenda.This election will see between 40 and 49 MPs of colour elected, a possible doubling of numbers. Hopefully this will finally herald a sea change in race equality moving higher up the political agenda.
This topic will be explored further on Wednesday 8 April, at Marginalised No More, an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Labour MP Bernie GrantThis topic will be explored further on Wednesday 8 April, at Marginalised No More, an event commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Labour MP Bernie Grant